Letter opener



June 2, 1959 4 K c LETTER OPENER Filed April ,9, 1958 Karl J. Beck 1 N VE N TOR.

BY wag United States Patent The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in letter openers and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is adapted to be mounted on a finger, preferably the second finger, of one hand, ready for use at all times.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a letter opener of the character described comprising a novel construction and arrangement of blades for starting the cut at one end of the envelope flap for the insertion of the tool thereunder and then cleanly severing said flap at the fold line thereof to its other end, thus completely and expeditiously opening the envelope without damaging the content thereof.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a letter opener of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight, safe and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a letter opener constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted on a finger;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the device;

Figure 3 is a view in transverse section, taken substantially on the line3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the device;

Figure 5 is a view in front elevation of the device;

Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view; and

Figure 7 is a top plan view, showing the device in use.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a shoe or base 8 of a suitable plastic which may be colored as desired. The base 8 includes a raised portion 9 which is spaced from the longitudinal sides and the forward end of said base. Formed integrally with the raised portion 9 of the base 8 is a longitudinally extending, forwardly tapered tube 10 for the reception of the second finger of the hand, as indicated at 11. The tube 10 has formed therein longitudinal grooves or channels 12.

The forward end portion of the base 8 is undercut in a manner to provide a beveled forward end portion 13 comprising a laterally and forwardly diagonally extending cutting edge portion 14 which extends beyond the raised portion 9 of said base. Formed integrally with the base 8 on the side thereof which includes the diagonal cutting edge 14 is a forwardly projecting guide 15. The

2,888,745 Patented June 2, 1959 upper side of the guide 15, at the forward end thereof, is beveled to provide a cutting edge 16. The cutting edge 16 extends diagonally laterally and rearwardly for providing a penetrating point or punch 17. The underside of the rear portion of the guide 15 is recessed, as at 18, for lightness and to reduce friction when the device is in use.

It is thought that the use of the opener will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the tube 10 is slipped on the second finger of the right hand, as indicated at 11. The envelope 19 to be opened is placed face down on a suitable support in the position shown in full lines in Figure 7 of the drawing and held with the left hand. The guide '15 is then inserted under the right hand end portion of the flap 20 of the envelope and the cutting edge 16 is forced through the fold line 21 of said flap. Thus, the right hand end portion of the flap 20 is severed at the fold line 21. This phase of the operation is facilitated by the penetrating point or punch 17. The envelope is then swung to the broken line position of Figure 7 of the drawing to longitudinally align said envelope with the opener. Again holding the envelope with the left hand, the opener is forced forwardly as indicated by the arrow in Figure 7 of the drawing, the guide 15 travelling beneath the flap 20 which is out along its fold line 21 by the diagonal cutting edge 14. The edge 14 cuts at a point closely adjacent the guide 15 which travels on the fold line 21 of the envelope. When the flap 20 has thus been severed to its other end, the envelope may be readily opened and the content removed with the hand on which the opener is mounted.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An envelope opener comprising: a substantially flat, horizontal, slidable base, a finger tube fixed on said base, a guide on one side of the base in the horizontal plane thereof and projecting forwardly therefrom and operable beneath the flap of an envelope on the fold line thereof, and a diagonal cutting edge on the base immediately adjacent the guide for severing the flap at said fold line thereof.

2. An envelope opener comprising: a substantially flat, horizontal, slidable shoe including an undercut, bevelled forward end portion, a finger tube mounted longitudinally on said shoe in vertically spaced relation thereto and integral therewith, and a coplanar, longitudinal guide on one side of the shoe projecting forwardly therebeyond and operable beneath the flap of the envelope on the fold line thereof, said shoe including on said one side thereof an integral coplanar, diagonally extending cutting edge immediately adjacent the guide for severing the flap at the fold line.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 68,011 Strong et a1 Aug. 20, 1867 525,477 Valkenburg Sept. 4, 1894 941,995 Keating Nov. 30, 1909 1,300,521 Villiger Apr. 15, 1919 

